Views of a new Catholic in an old world, on the joy and inexhaustible meaning found in the Faith.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Because of the King on the Cross

Today Catholic worshipers across the globe are commemorating the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pope Pius XI established this feast day in 1925 in the wake of what was supposed to be the "war to end all wars" as a way to combat secularism. We need this feast day now, more than ever.We end the liturgical year meditating on a King who died without a Kingdom in this world, a King assassinated by political authorities who found his message of love and redemption deeply threatening.
I struggled to write words to express what it means that Christ has dominion over our lives. Instead, I found the words in today's reading, in a letter St. Paul wrote hundreds of years ago from a prison to the Colossians. I found an image painted nearly 400 years ago, by Diego Velázquez, that shows us both Christ's human suffering and His transcendent divinity.

When I read Paul's words and heard them at Mass Saturday evening, they burrowed into my heart.The Colossians had been converted to Christianity. But they were being pressured to accept false doctrines; so are we. I encourage you to to read these words out loud, and slowly. Christ explains everything. We exist because He gazes at us with immeasurable love.

Disclaimer!

It is too true that I who write about the devout life am not myself devout, but most certainly I am not without the wish to become so, and it is this wish which encourages me to teach you. A notable literary man has said that a good way to learn is to study, a better to listen, and the best to teach. And Saint Augustine, writing to the devout Flora, says, that giving is a claim to receive, and teaching a way to learn. -St. Francis de Sales

Joe Six-Pack, Pilgrim

Resting on the Mount of Olives

Be Advised

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Words to Blog By

“I mean to be simply personal and historical: I am not expounding Catholic doctrine, I am doing no more than explaining myself, and my opinions and actions.” -Blessed John Henry Newman, Apologia Pro Vita Sua

St. Joseph, Pray For Us

More Words to Blog By

“Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.” -Ephesians 4:29–32